Abu Dhabi’s DoH kickstarts a new programme targeting Emirati physicians in the UAE

UAE – The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has introduced a new programme targeting 100 Emirati physicians from different healthcare facilities across the United Arab Emirates.

The new programme, titled the Clinical Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling Programme, seeks to equip medical doctors with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle genetic and genomic issues in the clinical setting.

The programme is offered by Abu Dhabi’s DoH, in partnership with the International Center for Genetic Disease (iCGD), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology.

In a news release published by the DoH, Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President of Khalifa University, underscored: “We are delighted to join with our partners to launch the Clinical Genomics and Genetic Counselling course in the realm of healthcare at Khalifa University. Developments in this area represent a tremendous leap towards empowering individuals with a profound understanding of their own genetic tapestry.”

The inauguration ceremony for the Clinical Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling Programme at the Khalifa University was held in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE.

The event was attended by His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

Professor Sir John O’Reilly, the President of Khalifa University, H.E. Homaid Al Shimmari, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khalifa University, and representatives of local and global partners were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

In his address, His Excellency Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Our constant pursuit of partnerships with renowned global partners allows us to enhance healthcare outcomes and elevate the quality of life in the Emirate and beyond.”

In particular, the launch of the new programme represents a significant milestone in the DOH’s quest to upskill physicians in genomic medicine and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

This launch stands as a testament to the Emirati leadership’s dedication to striving for excellence in Emirati physicians to ensure the prosperity and well-being of the UAE population.

“Following the directives of our wise leadership, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is committed to empowering national competencies, by ensuring that they have access to leading experts and sharing the necessary knowledge and skills in innovative fields, leveraging the Emirate’s advanced capabilities and its infrastructure,” outlined H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi.

The launch of the Clinical Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling Programme builds on the significant progress made since the initial cooperation between Abu Dhabi’s DoH and iCGD.

The six-month programme will help integrate fundamental science and medical education into the fields of genomics and precision medicine.

Notably, the Clinical Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling Programme is on the right path to becoming iCGD’s largest and most comprehensive national genomics educational programmes.

It will have a special focus on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, metabolic disorders, system-based disorders, and newborn and population screening.

Spanning six months, the Clinical Genomic Medicine and Genetic Counselling Programme will help participants to become proficient in diagnostics, clinical decision-making, and the analysis and interpretation of genomic data.

This genomic programme is expected to significantly contribute to building the professional and genomic medicine capacity essential for the successful implementation of the Emirati Genome Programme.

As a first-of-its-kind programme offered by experts from Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospitals, it represents a significant step on the path to achieving the UAE’s goal of developing and executing optimal public health policies in the country.

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